Milestone moment: Alex Box produces memories

Editor’s Note: This is part of a weekly series looking at Louisiana Sports Hall of Famers and great moments in Louisiana sports history.

Since its gates officially opened in 1938, Alex Box Stadium in Baton Rouge has provided countless memories for LSU baseball fans.

The stadium was first known as “LSU Diamond” until 1943, then the LSU Board of Supervisors voted to name it after former LSU Tiger and 1st Infantry Division member, Simeon Alex Box.

Box died during World War II, but he received a Purple Heart and a Distinguished Service Cross, the second highest military decoration awarded, for his heroism in North Africa. “The Box” has since lived up to its namesake by providing an atmosphere unlike any other in college baseball.

This is especially true in regards to the “original” Alex Box Stadium, which was sent off in historic fashion during the 2008 Super Regionals. After losing the first game in a best-of-three series against UC Irvine, LSU was on the brink of elimination at home.

In the top of the ninth, the Tigers were down 7-4 to the Anteaters before rallying for five runs to take the lead 9-7. LSU went on to close UC Irvine out in the bottom half of the ninth and force one last game in the old Alex Box with a trip to Omaha on the line. UC Irvine never had a chance; LSU blew out the Anteaters 21-7 in one of the most celebrated games in Alex Box history.

The “new” Alex Box Stadium was unveiled the following year in 2009 when the No. 1-ranked Tigers played host to the Villanova Wildcats in front of 9,054 screaming LSU faithful. “The Box” was new, improved, and it was back.

The Tigers got comfortable in their new habitat quickly, scoring four runs in the first inning en route to a 12-3 win and a 1-0 start in Alex Box Stadium. Former LSU coach Skip Bertman and Alex Box, a grand nephew of the stadium’s namesake, were chosen to throw out the first pitch.

For more on Louisiana’s sports history and Hall of Famers visit the LaSportsHall.com website. You can learn more at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Museum in downtown Natchitoches which is open Tuesday-Saturday.

Both LSU’s old and new Alex Box Stadiums have produced great memories for Tigers fans.